Sprint is boosting its machine-to-machine (M2M) portfolio with new innovative collaborations, announced at CTIA, which bring even more specialized capabilities to our already hefty lineup of M2M offerings in connected transportation, fixed and portable solutions, SmartGrid/utilities and healthcare.

M2M business is exploding. Research firm Analysis Mason recently projected the number of M2M devices to increase from 62 million worldwide in 2010 to 2.1 billion in 2020.

Executive Quotes

Danny Bowman, president-Sprint Integrated Solutions Group -- “M2M is already demonstrating potent, transformative value for businesses across many industry sectors. Sprint uses its unique combination of network assets to help companies of all sizes seize on M2M opportunities. Through our Open-Network-Execution approach, we can serve customers as their primary M2M partner. Our value proposition is built on streamlining the process of deploying M2M solutions, while enabling customers to tap into our extensive M2M ecosystem, where they can choose from a broad selection of applications and expertise to support their specific objectives.”

Wayne Ward, vice president-Sprint Emerging Solutions Group -- “These partners bring distinct enhancements to our M2M solutions set, which translates into even more finely tuned options for customers. Sprint M2M customers can draw on the specialized expertise of a wide range of M2M solutions partners, with Sprint simplifying the development and implementation process through our Open-Network-Execution approach.”

Partnerships announced include:

Connected Transportation

Feeney Wireless is adding two enhancements to its Sprint partnership. The first is a new line of connectivity devices for M2M apps under the brand name Skyus. The Skyus platform accelerates time-to-market for developing connected devices and simplifies integration. Built to work specifically with our broadband data networks, the Skyus product line of rugged, low-cost devices are designed for embedded systems. The partnership also focuses on delivering advanced mobile and M2M solutions to the marketplace through product innovation, speed-to-market, and rapid commercialization of new products within the rapidly growing M2M and embedded solutions market.

RedDotNet and Sprint will offer a wireless self-service kiosk solution unlike any other. Its contemporary form and tightly knit peripherals make it one of the most powerful, versatile and compact kiosks available.

Grid Sentry LLC will provide the Grid Sentry GS-200 Line Sentry on our broadband network. The device allows utilities to improve the efficiency of the distribution grid. By providing detailed information about the transmission grid, utility operators get the information to make real-time decisions, all from a device that can be installed in minutes.

With SmartLabs INSTEON technology and Sprint network infrastructure, business and home owners can access and control energy consumption from a simple web portal or a Sprint smartphone.

Healthcare

BodyMedia and Sprint are expanding BodyMedia’s product portfolio, with Sprint connectivity and location-based services to power a new line of embedded wireless BodyMedia FIT Armbands and future wearable body monitors, set to launch in 2012. Body Media devices track an individual’s calorie burn, activity levels and sleep to help consumers tailor their habits to lead healthier lives. The connected Armband will use Sprint M2M to wirelessly send health and fitness data to the users’ smartphones, where the mobile application can provide near real-time feedback and analysis.

IDEAL LIFE Inc. and Sprint are expanding IDEAL LIFE’s portfolio to include embedded wireless devices. The companies will develop, certify and co-market a version of the IDEAL LIFE hub. IDEAL LIFE’s entire system will work wirelessly, using Sprint’s M2M platform and Nationwide Sprint Network to transmit medical data to healthcare providers.